You’re interested in breast augmentation. But now you have a decision to make: do you opt for breast enlargement with fat transfer, or do you choose implants? The best way to decide is to talk to your plastic surgeon about your options. But here are five questions you can ask yourself to get started.
1. What do you want out of your breast augmentation surgery?
– While both fat transfer and implants may lead to similar results, they are very different procedures. Fat transfer involves redistributing fat from one area of your body to your breasts while saline or silicone implants are simply placed by the surgeon.
The question to ask yourself is “What exactly do I want out of my augmentation?” Fat transfer enables you to not only augment your breasts but also to redistribute unwanted fat in the same procedure. However, the procedure also hinges on the amount of fat to be redistributed, meaning that it may not be well-suited to patients with less body fat to work with. Implants, on the other hand, can be shaped to your specifications.
2. Is “natural” important to you?
– Breast augmentation with saline or silicone is a low-risk procedure that can effectively simulate a natural look and feel. Even so, some potential patients express a discomfort with implanting foreign elements into their bodies.
In this case, fat transfer may be the best option. Liposuction makes harvesting the fat relatively simple. The procedure is minimally invasive, and since the fat comes from the your own body, there is a low rate of rejection and re-absorption.
3. How much volume do you want?
– Since fat transfer utilizes material from the patient, the extent of the procedure is tied to the amount of fat which can be redistributed. Patients with less body fat may find that their options are limited.
With silicone or saline breast implants, you might be presented with a wider range of options. Consultation with your plastic surgeon is the best way to figure out what exactly these options might be.
4. How comfortable are you with plastic surgery procedures?
– While both types of breast augmentation procedures are low-risk and produce similar results, the processes are very different.
Fat transfer requires that the patient not only undergo surgery to augment and reshape the breasts, but also to undergo liposuction in order to harvest the fat in the first place. Some procedures may also require that the patient wear a prep garment called the BRAVA bra for a few weeks prior to the surgery. Recovery, on average, spans 2 to 4 days.
Implants are usually placed in a single one-to-two hour surgery. Recovery generally takes about a week, though exercise and strenuous physical activity must be avoided for about six weeks. Implants need to be replaced in the future, requiring another surgery down the road.
5. What does your plastic surgeon think?
– The best way to choose a breast augmentation procedure is to ask a professional like plastic surgeon Dr. Anna Wooten. During your consultation, you’ll discuss exactly what you want out of your augmentation, as well as your medical history, potential risks, costs and other factors that will inform your decision. With the help of Dr. Wooten, you can be confident that you’ve made the right decision for your individual needs.
Call today to schedule your consultation!